At Zayed University, the nation’s birthday is enjoyed by all

Students are not shy when it comes to celebrating the UAE's anniversary.

Walking through Zayed University on the eve of the National Day celebrations, there is an expectant silence filling the huge empty hallways. Occasionally, the chatter of a cleaning team or the heavy footfall of a security guard might break this deafening hush, but mostly there is just hush. This wide-open space slumbers blissfully, oblivious of the festivities that will soon descend.

Like the arrival of rain on the Serengeti plains, the arrival of students awakens this educational ecosystem. The hallways, that only a few short hours ago stood deathly silent, are now teeming with life, and ringing with cries of “awanaa” (really? – with a sense of disbelief) and “harakaat” (get you – with a sense of being impressed) – and many other oft-used Emirati expressions.

The first students arrive. They are soon followed by SUV after SUV, pulling up to the entrance gate and discharging their precious cargoes. The initial trickle becomes a torrent, as thousands of students flood into the main promenade. Where, a few short hours ago there had been only darkness and silence, now the full Technicolor spectrum of lively youthful energy is on parade. The university’s campus is filled with the cacophony of celebration and the symphony of cultural self-confidence.

Seeking out familiar faces – cousins, friends and classmates – hungry eyes scan the rising-tide of abaya-clad students. Picking out acquaintances is slightly more difficult today; most students are wearing new outfits, especially planned for the day’s celebrations. The black is complemented by an infinite variety of green, red and white accessories.

After a long search, two females reconnect: “haywaana” one cries out, “haywaana” retorts the friend – with even greater emphasis on her long vowels. The term “haywaana” literally means “animal”, but uttered in this context it is an expression of endearment and sisterly familiarity. The friends air-kiss and begin to bring each other up to speed on the activities they intend to attend as part of the day’s celebrations.

First they head to the various student run stalls. The art students have set up a wall where individuals can paint or draw what the UAE and National Day means for them. The psychology students have set up a well-being tree, where you are encouraged to disclose your positive aspirations for the future. The humanities students have set up a story-telling room, and one student is recounting the horrifying fable of Umm Al-Duwais to an audience of students and professors, all of them looking slightly frightened.

Finally, our two friends follow the crowd and head over to the “teachers contest”. This is a Zayed University tradition where expatriate professors go head to head in a competition testing their knowledge of Arabic, Emirati culture and their ability to look good in an abaya or kandura. The auditorium is packed – standing room only – as the professors slug it out to the bitter end, but always in good humour.

The activities all run smoothly but by mid afternoon a strange sight can be witnessed. Some females appear to be walking barefooted around the campus. This is not a strange sorority initiation. Many of these unfortunate celebrants have saved their new shoes for this special day, and having never walked in them before are now discovering the outer limits of their pain thresholds. With shoes too painful to wear, they are reduced to carrying their footwear as they continue to enjoy the festivities.

But sore footedness is not an issue over on the male side of the campus. The celebrations here are not nearly so busy, but they are having just as much fun. A young alpha male asserts his dominance, edging his way to the front of the pack. His hair is spiked, defying both gravity and convention; it reaches for the sky like a sun-hungry plant, so too do the popped collars of his polo shirt. He and his companions are looking for food, and there is plenty to be had. Traditional Emirati dishes abound.

Students, family members, friends and university employees are enjoying these events together. Many professors are wearing Emirati national dress, one even wears aviator sunglasses attempting to add a little contemporary Emirati authenticity to his attire.

The sense of togetherness and sharing is very apparent, the spirit of the union is evident. This beautiful celebration of the UAE’s 42nd anniversary is being enjoyed by all.

Justin Thomas, an associate professor at Zayed University, is the author of Psychological Well-Being in the Gulf States: The New Arabia Felix